[R-390] removing a tube from a tight space

[brianpepperdine brianpepperdine]

I have been working on an issue with my 390A and got to a point where I 
needed to check if a specific tube was good or not.
Problem was the tube is in a very tight spot and I could not get my 
fingers in there to remove it... too tight in the socket.. no room to 
rock it at bit too loosen it, get fingers around it sufficiently and 
strongly enought and/or extract it. I tried slip-joint pliers applied 
soft as I could, but they just slipped off of the tube glass.

Then last night I remembered a rig I had where the previous owner had 
put the old type cloth first aid tape on the end of the crystals to be 
able to extract them from the octal socket behind hole they were in (see 
EFJ Ranger, etc). A little 'wing' of tape to pull on.

So today I took some Gorilla tape, folded it to fit two sides of the 
tube and forming a tab I could pull on from above the chassis and the 
tube was out in 2 seconds.
A new trick of the trade, for me at least.
I know at one time I think I had seen 'finger trap' things one could 
pull a tube out with - long gone to unobtainium status I am sure.

Now to test that tube and hope it IS the tube (and not something more 
nefarious) and get a new tube.

73
Brian VE3HI